P-P-P-Packing

A few weeks ago Mike gave me a choice: get my car fixed right away or go on a vacation in about two weeks. I miss my car a great deal, but my sanity demanded a break. I chose vacation without hesitation. We've got all our ducks in a row, but the kids don't know where we're going yet. It's so exciting! I started my least favorite part of traveling today: the packing!

Do you think the kids will be ok in there until Wednesday? It's super convenient that I have a suitcase that fits each of them. I'm just kidding! It's not like we're flying. I think the over weight limit fee on checked baggage was about 1/10 the price of a ticket last I checked.

Riley was helping me pack later in the day and every article of clothing she brought me she'd say "Here Mom. Now are we ready? Can we go on the vacation now?" My sentiments exactly, kiddo!

It reminded me so much of this:

P-P-P-Packing

So, today (day two of antibiotics) I had to get us packed for a weekend in Boston. Well, technically we were flying into Boston, but the wedding we were attending was in Harvard, Mass. I was excited because two of my favorite people in the whole world were getting hitched and I was going to get a chance to show Mike and the kids where I went to school. I got my BFA from Boston University in 2004 (OLLLLLLD I. Am. OLD.). This is our second family trip ever and the first time we'd ever flown as a family. There are a lot of logistics, but as usual I am most concerned with packing.

Partly because well I hate the chore of packing myself let alone my family of four, but also because all the pain put me two weeks behind on laundry. TWO WEEKS multiply that by four people and factor in the half full hampers before the pain started. It looked a little something this. I started out optimistic, I had a load in each machines and all the hampers rounded up by 8am and help was due within the hour. Everything took a lot longer than I thought so it took me until 8pm to end the process with an impassable living room full of baskets of clean clothes and everyone packed.

The other obstacle to packing was that because we were taking public transportation throughout the trip we had to able to carry everything we brought. Since being a family of four with a wheelchair already makes things tricky in general and in this regard I was very concerned about luggage. I packed each kid a backpack. They got a weekend's worth of clothes, one spare outfit and dress clothes for the wedding. We dealt with dresses and dress shirts by folding them carefully and placing them in slightly inflated gallon size baggies. They each had a toothbrush, a pair of PJs and entertainment (DS/Coloring Books & Crayons). Riley also got to bring her dolly, Penelope. I packed myself much the same way careful not to forget my antibiotics, blanket and phone/Kindle charger. It's been so long since I flew I reread all the rules several times and I'm afraid to bring Riley snacks or her sippy cup in case security takes it away.

I didn't pack Mike, I just made him show me his dress clothes and then left him to it. Backpacks are good because everyone carries their own (go team!) and we get through check in faster. I also much perfer keepin our stuff under the seat in front of us and accessible during flights. Once the humans were packed it was time to gather doggie debris: bowls, food, toys, treats, bed, brush, crate, etc. I'll be dropping her off before 10am at the puppy sitter.

Ready, Set Go! (in the morning).

Packing

The last time I packed for a family trip it looked like this.

That was last November when we went on a cruise. This time I was thrilled not to have to consider diapers or cribs. Also this trip is only a weekend and we won't be at sea so if we need something we can run to the store. All that being said I despise packing. My ex used to say "When you pack, Evil Katie come out." He wasn't wrong.

I enlisted my mom for 48hrs of laundry, folding and packing. I packed the kids and myself. I then proceeded to pester Mike until he packed his clothes too.

I knew I could manage the car ride and the hotel would be a nice one so I had good odds of maneuvering in the bathroom. I was just nervous about everything else. I read the website site over and over looking at the pictures of the exhibits carefully. I was pretty sure I'd be ok, but I had to call Mike's Dad (trip organizer) for reassurance.

It's just packing that does this to me. I love to travel, hate to pack. I'll be thrilled once we hit the road, but the potential to forget things is stressful. So many logistics and the worst part is now that we're packed all I can do is wait. Wait with impatient kids.